Winter is really hanging on this year. We arrived for group training and discovered that there was a lot of fresh snow. Unfortunately there was ice under the snow in the fields so we kept to the plowed parking area and worked on some handling drills. It was snowing so once again I brought out my old camera.
For this drill several orange bumpers were set out in a “T” pattern. First, the handler sent the dog down the center line to retrieve a bumper from the center pile. Then the handler re-sent the dog down the center line but stopped the dog close to the center pile and sent the dog over to either the pile to the right or the left. It didn’t matter whether the handler sent the dog right or left to start, but for ease of explanation I will say the handler sent the dog to the left pile first. Once the dog retrieved a bumper from the left pile, the handler re-sent the dog down the middle and stopped it at the same point and sent it (with an “over”) to the right pile to retrieve a bumper. This drill was working on “overs” so the handler wanted to stop the dog fairly close to that center pile. The object was to change the dog’s mind from going back to that center pile for a bumper.
The snow always seems to add difficulty to drill work and many of the dogs made mistakes and needed to be stopped and recast here and there. It just goes to show that weather can make even the easiest drills a bit of a challenge.
Storm was up first and she had a bit of trouble with this. She did it, but needed to be re-sent a couple of times and needed some extra casts. That’s OK because in training we don’t expect perfection. We hope to make things challenging.
Thunder was up next. He did a good job on this. He has done a ton of these kinds of drills. He did not take to learning handling easily, (probably because he was older when he learned), so he did a lot of different drills to work on his “overs”. With all of the snow and ice underneath, Thunder moved carefully toward each pile of bumpers. He kind of trotted. This was OK with us. We don’t need him to re-injure his leg because he has been doing really well with no limping even with increased exercise.
Freighter was up last. This was very difficult for him. His handling needs work. The trainer handled him through this drill. All the dogs ran through this drill a few times. After three or so times through, Freighter finally seemed to get it. He was pretty proud of himself the last time through. He needs a lot of repetition with his handling. Spending time with the trainer will help him because he will get the repetition he needs.
Once we finished training, we said good-bye to Freighter who went off with the trainer, tail wagging. We won’t get to see him for a couple of weeks since there is no group training next Saturday.
Tomorrow–a promise of Spring.
That is great! I would probably try and dead the bumpers. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Really impressive training. I think we always need to remind ourselves that even the “simple” things are hard at first !! Well done all!!
VERY impressive!! Happy training Freighter.
Blessings,
Goose.
Looks like fun, but cold fun!
urban hounds
Impressive! It makes me realize all the possibilities in training I could do with my Aussie mix Pierson. I don’t plan on having him compete in anything but he is smart and loves to learn new things. So do you use the whistle to command him to stop and go either left or right or forward?
We use the whistle for a “sit” and arm motions or verbal cues to cast either back, left or right. We also use the whistle to signal a recall. Normally the dog is out 100+ yards so they need to be able to hear.
Bye bye Freighter, have a great time and learn lots! 😉 I love seeing photos of the brown dawgs running against the backdrop of snow. With all the white in Daisy’s fur, she gets a bit lost out there and we can only see portions of pooch in the pictures, but Thunder and Storm photograph so well with their colorings.
Your 2 brown dawgs Plus one 🙂 all did great! I only hope Smokey and Freighter are near each other so they aren’t lonely. I miss my Sun Bun just like I know you miss Freighter
Sunny did very well. Her handling is really coming along.
You can tell from the photos that the dogs love this training. 🙂 So Storm is allowed to participate even though she might be expecting? I thought she had to sit last season out? Great post with great explanation!
We are doing things a bit differently this time. Storm is on limited activity for the next 10 days or so. 🙂
The BrownDogs don’t seem to mind the snow and ice one bit!!
I love that they are given opportunity to make mistakes. Perfect runs with no challenges teach nothing – to dogs or humans! They look so happy doing what they were bred to do.
Also, you can never duplicate test conditions so the idea is to give them as many experiences as possible. So much of handling is changing the dog’s mind to get them as cleanly to the blind as possible.
So cool watching your dogs work. Ultimately, why the training? Competition? Primarily for hunting? I’m sure I already know the answer to this question but can’t dredge it up.
Something for Follow-up Friday! 🙂
This looks like fun! I love thinking games 🙂 I am always ready for a nice nap afterwards; do the Brown Dawgs get sleepy after all that thinking?
Yes and that is the BEST part of training. 🙂
Glad Thunder took his time and didn’t hurt his leg. Winter is rough, it’s either pouring down rain or lately snow and ice will be glad to see a hint of spring!
Give you credit for getting out there and training, love storms right pile pic!
Hi Y’all,
When I came to live with my Humans I thought the name of the game was “keep away”. I was 14 mos. old. The breeder had warned my Human, so she started me off like a pup…in the long hall with a long line, then outside with the check line, then just dragging the check line. The first time she sent me to a pile of bumpers, I couldn’t decide which one to pick up and return. The first time she used different piles, she just put one out in each spot. The first time through was fine. The second time,..well…boring…so I took the one from the first stop and exchanged it for the one in the second spot. Ooops! What do you mean that wasn’t what I was supposed to do? It took several days for me to figure out what she wanted me to do. You know, it was more fun my way!
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog